Plants in the genus Heliopsis are both similar in appearance to and closely related to those in the genus Helianthus, the true sunflower. Heliopsis is sometimes commonly called false sunflower.

Var. scabra differs from species plants by having hairy and rough-textured (scabrous) leaves and stems with the leaves being thicker. Upper leaves may be entire with basal leaves toothed. Cultivars of var. scabra are more commonly grown in gardens that the species itself.

Genus name comes from the Greek words helios meaning the sun and opsis meaning resembling in allusion to the rayed yellow flower heads.